scotland trave;

Old Feb 26th, 2015, 04:00 PM
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scotland trave;

Planning on going to Scotland and visiting Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Want to travel by train within the country.

Wondering if there are any other areas we can go easily from these cities to see some special sights. We like natural scenic beauty as well as history and art.

Thanks for your help.
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Old Feb 26th, 2015, 04:05 PM
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Yes -- there are other areas . . . but how many days do you have?

Trains are not the only option . . . There are some wonderful small group tours that leave from both Glasgow and Edinburgh. Might be better than trains for some areas since you want scenery, these van tours can get more off the beaten path than main line trains.
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Old Feb 26th, 2015, 06:11 PM
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We have one week in Glasgow and 3-4 days in Edinburgh.

Wondering if you have names of tour groups for both the cities.

Appreciate your help.
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Old Feb 26th, 2015, 06:20 PM
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Please clarify . . . is your entire trip 11 days? Or do you have additional time to travel to other areas?


Re a tour company . . . The best is probably Rabbies. https://www.rabbies.com

They do 1 to 5 day tours all over Scotland and into northern England. Most of thier tours leave from Edinburgh but there are also several originating in Glasgow.

Curious - is there a reason you are in Glasgow a full week, but only a few days in Edinburgh?
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Old Feb 26th, 2015, 10:07 PM
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Edinburgh and Glasgow are only an hour apart by train, so there's little point in having two hotels. Unless you have a real need to be in Glasgow I would just book Edinburgh for the whole stay
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Old Feb 27th, 2015, 06:50 AM
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Thanks for your replies.
Going to Glasgow for some work. Will have very little time to really explore from there.
So thinking of sightseeing Glasgow area in short spurts when time is available.

Thinking of taking a one day short trip by to a nearby location. Could you suggest a name/area so I can research. A castle with surrounding scenery would be nice.

We don't want to rent a car, so will either use a Rabbies tour or even would love to use a steam train.

Then we want to go to Edinburgh for a few days. I realize it is very hilly, so what area is good for a hotel there so we don't have to keep climbing hills each day.

Thinking of spending 2 days to see local Edinburgh sights and then wondering if we should stay another 2 days to see some nearby areas with castles/scenery or something else you may suggest.

We will not have time for the Tattoo festival although we will be in Edinburgh during the 1st few days of August. Dates not finalized at the moment.

Appreciate your time and all the help.
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Old Feb 27th, 2015, 07:45 AM
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The OP didn't mention when . . . If you are there in August you need to finalize your Edinburgh dates as soon as you can. And expect to pay top $/£ . . .

The city actually doubles in size (and close to triples on weekends) during August due to the festivals and Tattoo. It is a terrific/vibrant time in Edinburgh, but it will be VERY crowded.

If you are not interested in the Tattoo or Festivals, I'd maybe consider something entirely different. You could do Edinburgh as a day trip from Glasgow. Easy on the train. Then you can stay 3 days somewhere like Inverness and do day tours out of there. Or do a 3 or 4 day Rabbies tour into the Highlands.

As for where to visit from Glasgow for a day trip - any of the Rabbies tours would be good, or you can take the train to Stirling and visit the Castle.
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Old Feb 27th, 2015, 08:20 AM
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The West Highland Railway from Glasgow to Ft William or Mallaig is one of the world's great railway journeys. People come from all over the world to ride it. Most of the trip is through incredible and often lonely scenery.
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Old Feb 27th, 2015, 10:23 AM
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Janis and Ackislander---once again sincere thanks for your advice. I am now researching more to understand the area a bit better.

Definitely not staying for the Edinburgh festivals and we will leave Scotland before it begins.

I am thinking seriously about train journey from Glasgow to Stirling. So when we go by train and reach the stop for the Castle. It is easy to go to the Castle by walking or do we need to get a bus or taxi.

Sorry, I am asking this question, but I will research too myself.

Janis you know so much, wondering if you live in Scotland!
Have a great day.
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Old Feb 27th, 2015, 11:22 AM
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Here'a s loop all by public transportation that will let you see the finest of the Scottish Highlands and Scotland:

Take either of two awesomely scenic trains - from Glasgow you could take the West Highlands Line to Fort William and onto Maillag - this line is ubiquitosuly listed as amongst the most scenic in Europe!

At Maillag (sp?) take the short ferry ride to the Isle of Skye - spend a day or two there and then take the bus over the bridge to Kyle of Lochlash from where another really scenic train takes you thru more bucolci highlands and seaside settings to Inverness

Inverness is nice for a day to see Loch Ness and maybe, just maybe Nessie, the monster haunting the lake now for decades.

Then take trains back to Glasgow or Edinburgh.

The West Highlands Line takes you thru the heart of the desolate Rannoch Moor, ceratainly one of the most memorable places in all of Scotland and the train is just about the only way to slice thru it as only a few secondary roads penetrate it they told us:
https://www.google.com/search?

q=Rannoch+Moor+images&es_sm=93&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=RNHwVMCED5KkyATdl4DgBQ&ved=0CB4QsAQ&biw=1600&bih=1075

So for a real taste of Scotland (drink whisky!) or take these two scenic train lines and even hit one of the iconic Scotish islands.

For lots of great info on Scottish trains check www.seat61.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com. There is or was some kind of Scottish Pass good for trains and many ferries but not sure of what is offered this year.

www.scotrail.co.uk gives schedules and has advance online discounts on those two lines!
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Old Feb 27th, 2015, 11:49 AM
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PalenQ--You are amazing to share this info. You have traveled everywhere it seems like as you have helped me often during my various trips.

I will research this idea too.

Just curious--approximately how long does it take to go from Glasgow or Edinburgh to Isle of Skye?

I think we definitely need 2 days to enjoy the beauty.

My husband thinks we should just take the train ride back and forth and not spend time on the island! Not sure that is even possible. This way we get to enjoy the entire scenery sitting comfortably.

Not sure if this idea is sensible at all.
Thanks for your help.
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Old Feb 27th, 2015, 12:01 PM
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>>It is easy to go to the Castle by walking or do we need to get a bus or taxi.>Just curious--approximately how long does it take to go from Glasgow or Edinburgh to Isle of Skye?>. . . wondering if you live in Scotland!
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Old Feb 27th, 2015, 12:02 PM
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PQ--Again!
I was able to get lots of info. from Google, so my questions are already answered.
I will soon finalize at this part of the trip.

Once again thanks for your help.
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Old Feb 27th, 2015, 12:08 PM
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Janis--you and I were writing the above at same time.
Wow! you live in California and are so knowledgeable. I appreciate all your help.

Thanks for answering my questions.

I am doing research to see what we can do easily. I like the day trip idea from Glasgow to Mallaig.

Will check out the Jacobite site and decide.

Lots to learn and figure out the best way to see the most.

Truly appreciate your time.

Have a fabulous day in Calif.
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Old Feb 27th, 2015, 08:45 PM
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Just read about Royal Yacht Brittania in Edinburgh. Sounds very interesting.

Please tell if it is worthwhile to see it while we are in Edinburgh for only a couple of days.

The railway journeys around Scotland look truly amazing. Reading up to learn more to make a final decision.

Thanks to everyone for so much help.
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Old Feb 27th, 2015, 10:22 PM
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I really enjoy the Brittania (been several times) . . . But w/ only two days it probably wouldn't make the short list.
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Old Mar 1st, 2015, 04:03 PM
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Free time in Glasgow will be limited, but taking some notes in case there is a chance to go out of the area.

Loch Lamond seems to be nearby and maybe I can take a train for a short trip.

It is worthwhile to go there for a short while or no.

How about taking the suburban train from Glasgow to Balloch.

Planning trips are fun, but require lots reading time as well as browsing the map and thinking and more thinking and decisions.

Would love to hear any more idea for some short trip in the vicinity of Glasgow using train or a bus.

Will definitely do the West Highway Railway line from Glasgow to Mallaig to see the amazing scenery.

Truly appreciate the help here.
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Old Mar 2nd, 2015, 06:59 AM
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I am doing research to see what we can do easily. I like the day trip idea from Glasgow to Mallaig.>

A pretty long day trip - why not stay somewhere in a smaller let's say more Scotish town than Glasgow for a night. Why staying in Glasgow?
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Old Mar 2nd, 2015, 07:52 AM
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>>Why staying in Glasgow?
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Old Mar 2nd, 2015, 08:26 AM
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Well maybe you do not need to go all the way to Mallaig but instead on the way back maybe get off the train at the Ranoch Moor or someplace so it is not always in a train car - not much at Mallaig but if you cross to Skye from Mallaig there is a nice port area that I did a longish walk around and found it quite nice.

but too bad you can't do an overnight on Skye then take the train via Kyle of Lochlas back to Edinburgh or Glasgow the next day - still a lot of time on the train!
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